The propagation of detonation in thin layers of nitroglycerine

Abstract

An investigation has been made on the propagation of the low-velocity detonation through layers of nitroglycerine 0⋅01 to 0⋅75 mm. thick. By the rotating drum photographic method the detonation velocity was found to be 1800 ± 200 m./sec. The forward and backward movement of the decomposition products behind the detonation front has been recorded and the velocities measured approximately. Evidence has been collected which shows that the detonation does not proceed through the explosive as a uniform wave, but is essentially a discontinuous process involving a non-uniform distribution of intensity across the breadth of the detonation front. Supplementary evidence to that reported previously (Vines & Mulcahy 1946; Mulcahy & Vines 1947) is given of the analogy between the phenomena associated with the setting up of the low-velocity detonation in nitroglycerine and those characteristic of the initiation of detonation in gaseous gaseous systems.